Chris Pappas Wins New Hampshire Senate Race, Becoming the First Openly Gay Man Elected to the Chamber

Pappas defeats former senator Sununu and keeps the seat in Democratic hands

Democratic Rep. Chris Pappas defeated former Republican Sen. John E. Sununu in New Hampshire's 2026 U.S. Senate election, winning the open seat being vacated by Democratic Sen. Jeanne Shaheen. Sununu conceded shortly after polls closed, and the Associated Press called the race for Pappas. New Hampshire Public Radio and local outlets also reported the result. Pappas is scheduled to take office in January 2027. The contest mattered beyond the state's representation in Washington. With control of the Senate at stake nationally, both parties treated the open New Hampshire seat as an important part of the battle for the chamber. Sununu brought experience as a former senator and the advantages of a well-known political family. He also had President Donald Trump's endorsement. Pappas, a four-term House member, emphasized his ties to the state and argued that the campaign should focus on affordability, economic pressure and government accountability. New Hampshire Public Radio reported that Pappas sought to frame Sununu as aligned with Trump, while Sununu presented himself as an experienced and independent voice who could stand apart from his party when necessary. The candidates offered voters competing definitions of what independence in the Senate should mean.

A historic milestone, with economic concerns still central to the campaign

Pappas's victory carries a historic distinction: he will become the first openly gay man elected to the U.S. Senate. The milestone was highlighted by the Washington Blade, WMUR and the New Hampshire Bulletin. It adds to the chamber's evolving representation, while also placing Pappas in a position where his record will be judged on the same legislative responsibilities as those of his colleagues. The campaign itself was not limited to questions of identity or representation. Pappas focused heavily on the cost of living, economic opportunity and accountability in government. Sununu emphasized his previous Senate experience and argued that he could provide an independent voice for New Hampshire. Local reporting described a race shaped by national political divisions but fought through issues familiar to voters in the state. Pappas's political career has been rooted in New Hampshire. He previously served in the state legislature and on the state's Executive Council before winning election to the U.S. House in 2018. NHPR reported that he had lost only one of his previous 13 elections, a record that underscored his strength in state-level politics. Sununu, meanwhile, had represented New Hampshire in both the House and Senate before leaving the chamber after losing his 2008 reelection campaign to Shaheen.

Democrats hold the open seat as the national balance of power shifts

Pappas's win keeps the seat in Democratic hands after Shaheen's retirement. It also came on an election night when Democrats won control of both chambers of Congress, making the New Hampshire result part of a much broader shift in national political power. Axios reported that Republicans had viewed Sununu as a serious challenger, but Trump's endorsement did not carry him to victory. The new senator will enter office amid disputes over the federal budget, immigration, economic policy and congressional oversight of the Trump administration. Democrats will have greater ability to investigate the executive branch and block parts of the president's legislative agenda, but the White House will retain its veto power. That means Pappas will face pressure both to represent New Hampshire's interests and to navigate a sharply divided national political environment. His victory combines a milestone in representation with a practical test of political leadership. Pappas campaigned on state-level experience, affordability and accountability. The measure of his success in the Senate will ultimately be whether he can turn those promises into legislation and deliver results for the people he will represent.